'Drunk' American Football fan plunges to his death at San Francisco 49ers vs Green Bay Packers match

Police investigate whether alcohol may have contributed to the death of 32-year-old Kevin Hayes

A US football fan plunged to his death after falling from an elevated stadium walkway.

Kevin Hayes, 32, died at Candlestick Park stadium, San Francisco, as he attended the match between the 49ers and the Green Bay Packers.

Witnesses says Mr Hayes, of Hayward, California, appeared drunk before the fatal fall.

San Francisco police chief Greg Suhr said: "Alcohol may or may not have played a role to some varying degree, but right now, it looks like a very sad, tragic accident."

Mr Hayes plummeted to the ground at about 1pm on Sunday, just after the game's kick-off.

The accident happened as he was walked along the Jamestown walkway, which runs around the outside of the ground to the car park.

Despite efforts by off-duty medics and police officers, he died from injuries sustained in the fall.

Reports claim Mr Hayes was with his brother at the time of the incident, which took place on the opening day of the US football season. San Francisco won the match 34-28.

"The San Francisco 49ers would like to express our deepest condolences to the family during this difficult time," the home team said in a statement.

Authorities have not said how far Mr Hayes fell or given any further details about the nature of his injuries.

In 2007, a 31-year-old fan died during a 49ers game after falling 20 feet from an upper concourse at Candlestick Park.

The stadium, which was the location for the final full concert by the Beatles, is set to close at the end of the current season.

The 49ers will move to the new £770m Levi's Stadium, in Santa Clara, California.

In a further incident on the same day, two fans were hurt when a railing collapsed at the game between Indianapolis Colts and the Oakland Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Neither was badly injured.